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Q Sushi (Los Angeles, CA) [2]

I first dined at Q two months ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. This return visit came quicker than expected as Q was the last-minute choice for a special occasion meal in the downtown area.

Sushi Zo still gets the majority of buzz of high-end downtown sushi options, though Q is right up there and deserves strong consideration. The quality of the fish is superb and the precision is exacting, plus I think Q has one of the most beautiful sushi bars in town (I love the lightbulbs). It’s very quiet and rather tranquil, transporting one away from the busy downtown streets just outside the doors.

The menu is omakase-only running at $165 for about twenty courses. The meal begins with a number of small fish dishes and goes into one-by-one sushi courses.

Corkage is $25.

Halibut bonito intestine sauce

The halibut had a delicate chew and subtle flavor; the bonito sauce brought the bulk of the flavor with its strong sea essence.

Swordfish onion sauce

Really enjoyed this dish last time and it was the same here. The swordfish was rich and meaty and paired well with the sweet sauce.

Yam Noodles sesame

I really liked these “noodles;” they had a firm bite and nice chew, complemented by a sesame oil dressing.

Seared Toro shishito pepper paste

The toro was rich and luscious as expected, but the shishito was a nice touch and really enhanced these bites.

Monkfish Liver daikon, squash

This wasn’t my favorite of the bunch. I thought the daikon and squash took away from the ankimo.

Upon completion of that course, we moved into sushi.

Halibut

Striped Jack

Shortspine Thornyheadkinki

Abalone

Lean Bluefin Tuna

Medium-Fatty Tuna

Fatty Tuna

Baby Gizzard Shadshinko

Salmon

John Dory

Mackerel

Small Shrimp

Sea Urchin

Sea Eel

Egg baby shrimp

This was another good meal at Q. Highlights for me in the small plated dishes were the yam noodles, swordfish and seared toro. On the sushi side, I really enjoyed the fatty gradients of tuna, in-season kinki, abalone and a rare John Dory sighting. It’s not cheap, but I think Q’s price is justified given the quality and variety of fish throughout the omakase menu. Given the decor and spot-on service, it’s an ideal spot for a special occasion.